If New York is the Earth of the art world, Gabriel Kilongo says, Miami is Jupiter―“a little distant.” So the Congo native, who was raised in Israel and studied art history at New York’s Bard College, named his Miami Beach gallery for the faraway planet.
Since opening its doors in 2021 in Normandy Isles, an unhip north-beach enclave, Jupiter has exhibited rising stars like New York painter Lizzy Lunday and Los Angeles painter Travis Fish, along with household names like musician George Clinton, whose paintings draw on themes from his career.
While much of the Miami art scene orbits around the Design District and Art Basel, “we’re on an island in North Beach Kilongo tells Penta from Jupiter. “ People don’t associate this area with galleries or scenes. But a lot of collectors who’ve moved to Miami are living nearby, and our location’s central.”
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Miami’s independent galleries are thriving, he says. “Miami has built a reputation as a niche for younger artists and international voices,” he says. “It’s American-centric, but not how you think of traditional American art―we show Cuban and Caribbean artists, and descendants of immigrants. And at Jupiter, we’ve been showing artists from as far as China, Zambia, and Congo.”
Kilongo shared his insider tips on Miami Beach.
Dine
When I’m with clients or artists, I prefer the Lido Restaurant at the Four Seasons at the Surf Club in Surfside. It’s very international, with a rich history―the original Surf Club opened in 1930, and it’s been beautifully renovated. When you walk into the Lido, there’s a mosaic ceiling, which was hidden until the renovation uncovered it. They shipped it to Italy to get it restored, but no one knows who created it.
For meals with friends, the Design District is very walkable, with great options. The second floor of the MIA Market food hall is where I visit Soulfly Chicken, run by chef Troy Tingling, a first-generation Jamaican who had run it as a food truck. His technology fries chicken faster and with much less oil. And he’s got lots of options if you’re vegan or allergic to gluten or dairy.
Stay
The W and the Albion, both in South Beach, are for people who appreciate art. They’re both very comfortable, with great amenities. The Albion was designed by [Russian-born American architect] Igor Polevitzky, and opened in 1939. It’s got terrific nautical-Deco architecture, and it was recently remodeled.
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Art
A great thing about Miami is that private collectors display their art in their own buildings. The Rubell is always exciting; it features large-scale work by artists whose smaller pieces are more familiar to me. The Margulies and de la Cruz collections are also great. And the W hotel will show rotating pieces from [owner]
Aby Rosen’s
collection. I also enjoy the Institute for Contemporary Art in the Design District.
Discover
I’ve been visiting Miami for years, and living here since 2021, but I only just discovered the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, which is in the middle of South Beach. I was so surprised to find it there.
Drink
I love Dante’s HiFi, which calls itself the first “listening bar” in Wynwood. The bar was started by Rich Medina, a DJ who’s also a musician. He has a huge vinyl collection, which he’s collected through his career, and DJs spin here using his records. It’s a great place for drinks, with an amazing cocktail menu and cool crowd. My own drink of choice is mezcal on the rocks with lime.
Sip
I’m not a big coffee drinker, but when I need one, [70-year-old Miami Beach Cuban eatery] Puerto Sagua has original-style Cuban coffee that’s very old-school. They make everything in a very traditional way. It reminds me of the Congo in a strange and unexpected way. And for someone who doesn’t like coffee, they make excellent coffee.
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Shop
I tend to buy clothing in an orthodox way. But I also have designer friends I like to support. Here in Miami, I’ve been exposed to Josue Thomas and his label Gallery Department. He recently relocated from Los Angeles to open a Miami outpost, which seems counterintuitive. I like shopping there. He doesn’t mass-produce, and it feels like he dedicates a lot of attention to each piece. They feel like they were made just for you.
Relax
I relax at the beach. It’s that simple. Since childhood, I’ve lived around water. My favorite section around here is next to Normandy Isles, where the gallery is – from 79th Street upwards is really interesting. [Architect] Renzo Piano built a building [Eighty-Seven Park condominium] near here.
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